SEALING DEVICE FOR INTERCHANGEABLE CONTAINERS

Abstract: A sealing device for sealing a filling opening (18) of an interchangeable container (4), in particular of a refuse collection vehicle, comprises at least one shut-off element (17) to be placed in or in front of the filling opening (18). When the opening (18) is open, the shut-off slide (17) is connected to a loading device (9) coupled to the container (4), and the shut-off slide (17) is accommodated in a frame (15) which is hingedly connected to the loading device (9) about an essentially vertical axis (16). The frame (15) is rotatable about said hinge axis (16) between a first position, in which the frame (15) is situated alongside the loading device (9), and a second position, in which the frame (15) is situated parallel to the wall of the container (4). The sealing device also has movement means (20, 21), so that in the second position of the frame (15) they slide the shut-off slide (17) out of the frame (15) into or in front of the opening (18), following which the sut-off slide (17) is connected to the container (4), and vice versa.

Description: Sealing device for interchangeable containers The invention relates to a sealing device for sealing a filling opening of an interchangeable container, in particular of a refuse collection vehicle, having at least one shut-off element to be placed in or in front of the filling opening, in order to seal the filling opening, so that when the filling opening is sealed the shut-off element is connected to the interchangeable container and when the filling opening is open said shut-off element is connected to a loading device coupled to the interchangeable container at the position of the filling opening. Such a sealing device is known from European Patent Specification 0467836. In view of the current endeavours to use not only energy, but also vehicles and personnel as efficiently as possible, the way in which refuse is collected is changing. The so-called interchangeable container system is becoming increasing common. In this system, refuse is collected into interchangeable containers by vehicles specially designed for the purpose. When the interchangeable container on the vehicle is full, it is replaced by an empty interchangeable container. The relatively heavy loading device remains at the vehicle. This means that a special refuse collection vehicle can fill several interchangeable containers, which are relatively simple and light in construction. The containers are collected at a place which is not far away from the area where the refuse is being collected. This means that the time required for changing over the containers is minimal, so that both the refuse collection vehicle and the personnel required for collec¬ tion are out of action for collection for only a short period. Some full interchangeable containers are taken together from the collection point to refuse-processing plants on a vehicle, specially equipped for distance transportation. In order to prevent spillage of refuse from a full interchangeable container during transportation, the filling opening of the container must be shut off before said opening is cleared when the connection between the container and the loading device is broken. European Patent Specification 0467836 describes a refuse collection vehicle which is provided with an interchangeable container. The sealing device between the interchangeable container and a loading device coupled thereto comprises one shut-off element, a so-called "shut- off and pressing plate". In addition to the function of sealing the filling opening of the container, said shut-off and pressing plate is used as part of the pressing device which is present in the loading device and in which said plate is accommodated when the filling opening of the interchangeable container is open. When the filling opening of the interchangeable container is open, the shut-off and pressing plate in front of the filling opening is swung aside, so that the interchangeable container can be filled. The pressing device with the plate slides the refuse out of the loading device into the interchangeable container. Before an interchangeable container is changed, the shut- off and pressing plate is returned to the filling opening, and the connection between the plate and the pressing device is broken. Locking elements are used to fix the shut-off and pressing plate in the interchangeable container or the pressing device. However, this known sealing device has the disadvantage that the shut-off and pressing plate has to be made heavier than is necessary for purely sealing the filling opening of the interchangeable container. The loads occurring during pressing are considerably greater than the loads occurring when the filling opening of the interchangeable container is kept shut off. The additional weight of the shut-off and pressing plate is transferred with the interchangeable container in each case, with the result that the energy consumption during distance transportation of the interchangeable containers is higher than is necessary. Another disadvantage of the known sealing device is that as a result of the heavy loads occurring and the exposure to dirt, the construction forming the connection between the shut-off and pressing plate and the inter¬ changeable container or the pressing device is extremely susceptible to breakdowns. The invention aims at avoiding the above-described disadvantages. The object of the invention is to provide a sealing device which is relatively simple in design and is lightweight. This object is achieved according to the invention by a sealing device which is characterized in that the shut-off element consists of a shut-off slide which when the filling opening is open is accommodated in a frame which is hingedly connected to the loading device about an essentially vertical axis, the frame being rotatable about the hinge axis between a first position, in which the frame is situated alongside the loading device, and a second position, in which the frame is situated parallel to the wall of the interchangeable container with the filling opening, and in that movement means are present, so that in the second position of the frame they slide the shut-off slide out of the frame into or in front of the filling opening of the interchangeable container, and vice versa. The shut-off element of the sealing device according to the invention serves purely to shut off the filling opening of the interchangeable container. This means that the sealing device can consist of relatively light shut-off slides which are simple in design. The weight of the shut-off slides contributes relatively little to the overall weight of the interchangeable container. Only a few parts will suffice for the full construction. Since the shut-off element fulfils only one function, namely shutting off the filling opening of the interchangeable container, the most suitable device for filling the interchangeable container can be selected for the pressing device. In a preferred embodiment of the sealing device according to the invention, there are two shut-off slides which can be slid from the sides of the interchangeable container into or in front of the filling opening, and are each accommodated in a frame when the filling opening is open. This design of the sealing device is simple, and is consequently easy to use and readily accessible. When the filling opening is open, the shut-off slides are situated in the frames alongside the loading device, with the result that the filling opening of the loading device is completely clear. In order to ensure that the shut-off slides can be moved easily, it is advantageous for each frame to be provided at the top and bottom sides with guides for retaining and guiding the shut-off slide. With the same object, the wall of the inter¬ changeable container provided with the filling opening can be provided at the top and bottom sides with guides for retaining and guiding the shut-off slide. The wall of the interchangeable container provided with a filling opening can advantageously be hingedly fixed to the interchangeable container, so that the contents of a filled interchangeable container can easily be removed by turning away said wall. The wall can be fixed e.g. to the top side of the interchangeable container in such a way that it pivots about a horizontal axis, so that the wall can be swung up for emptying of the interchangeable container. In order to facilitate movement of the shut-off slide out of the frame into or in front of the filling opening of the interchangeable container, it is desirable that in the second position of a frame the guides in the frame should lie in line with the guides on the inter¬ changeable container. A pressing plate of a pressing device of the loading device can be designed to serve as an additional guide for a shut-off slide. Using this additional guide means that the shut-off slides can be made extremely lightweight. In order to prevent the frames from swinging out while the refuse collection vehicle is travelling, each frame can be locked in the first position, in which the frame is situated alongside the loading device. Each shut-off slide is preferably provided with a locking point for engaging the movement means for the shut- off slide. A suitable embodiment of the movement means is that in which the movement means for a shut-off slide comprise a piston-cylinder unit which at one end is connected to the corresponding frame and at the other end has a head which can engage in the locking point of the shut-off slide, in order to move the shut-off slide. In order to break the connection between the head of a piston-cylinder unit and the locking point of the shut-off slide after sealing of the filling opening, lifting means are preferably present, in order to place the head in engagement with the locking point and to release it therefrom. In a further embodiment of the movement means, the piston-cylinder unit at one end is preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis in the corresponding frame, and the lifting means act upon the wall of the frame at one end and on the piston-cylinder unit at the other end. In this way the head of the piston rod of the piston-cylinder unit can be lifted from the locking point of the shut-off slide, and the piston rod can be retracted. Each shut-off slide preferably has a sealed space for the accommodation of the piston-cylinder unit. The sealed space means that the piston-cylinder unit does not come into contact with the refuse, and the construction is not susceptible to breakdowns. In addition, the surround of the space contributes to the strength of the shut-off slide. The invention also relates to a combination of an interchangeable container with a filling opening disposed in one of the end walls, and a loading device which is disposed detachably opposite the filling opening and comprises a pressing device, which is characterized in that the combination is provided with a sealing device according to the invention. This combination can be used in the case of refuse collection vehicles which are provided with an interchangeable container, but it can also be used for stationary pressing devices. In order to be able to move the shut-off slides of the sealing device in a simple manner for shutting off the filling opening, the wall of the interchangeable container provided with the filling opening is advantageously provided at the top and bottom sides with guides for retaining and guiding the shut-off slide. In order to remove the contents of a filled interchangeable container in a simple manner, it is also advantageous for the wall of the interchangeable container which is provided with a filling opening to be hingedly fixed to the interchangeable container. In a preferred embodiment of the combination according to the invention, the pressing device comprises a pressing plate which is rotatable about a vertical shaft in a tub. In order to guide the refuse into the inter- changeable container during pressing and to hold it there, the interchangeable container can expediently be provided with a scraper which is disposed in the filling opening opposite the vertical shaft of the pressing plate of the pressing device. Another function of said scraper is to support the shut-off slides when the filling opening is closed. The scraper is preferably fixed on the wall of the interchangeable container which is provided with a filling opening, so that the scraper does not impede the emptying of a filled interchangeable container, because the scraper can be swung aside together with the wall. In order to retain the shut-off slides when the filling opening is closed, the wall of the interchangeable container provided with a filling opening can be provided with locking points for retaining the shut-off slide of the sealing device to be placed in front of or in the filling opening. The invention also relates to an interchangeable container, obviously intended for a combination according to the invention, which is characterized in that the wall of the interchangeable container provided with the filling opening is provided at the top and bottom side with guides for retaining and guiding the shut-off slide. The wall of the interchangeable container provided with a filling opening can be hingedly fixed to the interchangeable container, in order to facilitate emptying of a filled interchangeable container. The interchangeable container is advantageously provided with a scraper which is disposed in the filling opening so that when the filling opening is closed said scraper supports the shut-off slide and during pressing guides the refuse into the interchangeable container. In order to be able to empty a filled inter- changeable container in a simple way, the scraper is fixed to the wall of the interchangeable container provided with a filling opening. In order to lock the shut-off slide, the wall of the interchangeable container provided with a filling opening can be provided with locking points for retaining the shut-off slide of the sealing device to be placed in front of or in the filling opening. The interchangeable container can be exchanged by conventional methods which are known per se, as described in the abovementioned European Patent Specification 0467836. However, the sealing device according to the invention is not dependent on the way in which this changing of the interchangeable container is carried out. The invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a side view of a refuse collection vehicle, a so-called front loader. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the changing of an interchangeable container in such a front loader; Fig. 3 is a side view of a refuse collection vehicle, a so-called rear loader; Fig 4 is a side view showing the changing of an interchangeable container in such a rear loader; Fig. 5 shows a top view of a part of an inter- changeable container and a rear loader connected thereto which is provided at either side with frames having shut- off slides accommodated therein; Fig. 6 is a top view in which the frames have been turned at right angles to the container; Fig. 7 is a top view in which the shut-off slides are slid out of the frames in front of the filling opening of the interchangeable container by means of movement means; Fig. 8 is a top view in which the frames are turned back alongside the rear loader and the shut-off slides are left behind in the interchangeable container, which is detached from the rear loader; Fig. 9 is a view of the sealing device, viewed from the interchangeable container in the direction of the rear loader; and Fig. 10 is a vertical section of the shut-off slide. Fig. 1 shows a refuse collection vehicle of the so- called front loader type, in which the sealing device according to the invention can be used. This vehicle consists of a chassis 1, to which a loading system 2 is fixedly connected. The loading device 3 is also fixedly connected to the chassis 1. The interchangeable container 4 is detachably fixed to the chassis 1. The loading device 3 is situated behind the cab 5 of the refuse collection vehicle and in front of the interchangeable container 4. The loading device 3 comprises a pressing device 6, by means of which refuse from refuse bins 8 emptied into the tipping opening 7 is pressed into the interchangeable container 4. Fig. 2 shows the situation in which the connection between the loading device 3 and the interchangeable container 4 of the refuse collection vehicle of Fig. 1 is broken after the interchangeable container 4 has been filled. The interchangeable container 4 can be unloaded and exchanged for an empty interchangeable container 4. Fig. 3 shows a refuse collection vehicle of the rear loader type. In the case of this refuse collection vehicle, the interchangeable container 4 is placed directly behind the cab 5 of the refuse collection vehicle on the chassis 1. The rear loader 9 is fixed to the vehicle and/or the interchangeable container 4 at the rear side. The rear loader 9 is provided with a loading system 2, by means of which refuse bins 8 can be lifted off the ground and emptied into the tipping opening 7 of the rear loader 9. The refuse is pressed into the interchangeable container 4 by the pressing device 6. Fig. 4 shows the changing of a full interchangeable container 4. In this case the situation in which the rear loader 9 is set off temporarily on supporting legs 10 is shown. The interchangeable container 4 can then be unloaded backwards from the vehicle. This figure also shows a horizontal hinge pin 28, about which the rear wall of the interchangeable container 4 can be swung upwards, in order to remove the contents of a filled interchangeable container 4. The sealing device according to the invention is shown in greater detail in Figs. 5 - 10. Figs. 5 - 8 show the successive stages to be followed for the sealing. Fig. 5 shows the starting situation of a full interchangeable container 4 which is to be changed. The rear loader 9 comprises a tub 11 which is essentially the shape of a semi-circular cylinder, and from which refuse emptied into the tub 11 is pressed into the interchangeable container 4 by means of a pressing plate 12 of the pressing device 6 rotating to and fro. The pressing plate 12 is driven by two piston-cylinder units 14 which act upon the pressing plate 12 by means of a lever 13, and of which only the axes are shown in the figures. A scraper 27 is provided in the centre of the filling opening 18, opposite the shaft of the pressing plate 12 of the pressing device 6. During pressing, the scraper 27 guides the refuse which has been pressed by the pressing plate 12 into one half of the filling opening 18 into the interchangeable container 4, so that the refuse already in the interchangeable container in the vicinity of the other half of the filling opening 18 is not pressed r back into the pressing device 6. In addition to the above-described pressing mechanism, the sealing device according to the invention can also be combined with other pressing mechanisms. How- ever, other possible pressing mechanisms will not be dis¬ cussed in this explanation. Frames 15 are hingedly connected on either side to the rear loader 9 in such a way that they pivot about a vertical hinge pin 16. Shut-off slides 17 belonging to the interchangeable container 4 are temporarily accommodated in the frames 15. Fig. 6 shows the next stage. After unlocking of the frames 15, the latter can be swung out of the first position shown in Fig. 5, in which the frames 15 are situated alongside the loading device 9, into a second position shown in Fig. 6, in which the frames are situated parallel to the wall of the interchangeable container 4 with the filling opening 18. The frames 15 are perpendicular to the interchangeable container 4 in the embodiment shown. The shut-off slides 17 are still situated in the frames 15. Reference number 19 indicates the spaces between the rear loader 9 and the interchangeable container 4 through which the shut-off slides 17 can be pushed in front of the filling opening 18 of the interchangeable container 4 during the next stage. This situation is shown in Fig. 7. Movement means for the shut-off slides 17 are also shown in this figure. Said movement means consist of piston-cylinder units 20, 21. The shut-off slides 17 are pushed by the piston-cylinder units 20, 21 in front of the filling opening 18 of the interchangeable container 4. The piston rods 21 are provided with a special head 22 which engages in a locking point 23 of each shut-off slide 17. Guides (not shown) , along which the shut-off slides 17 can slide and in which they are retained, are disposed both in the frames 15 and in the interchangeable container 4. If desired, the pressing plate 12 can serve as an additional guide for the shut-off slides 17 if the pressing plate 12 is swung slightly more than perpendicular to the interchangeable container 4, so that the pressing side of the pressing plate 12 ultimately lies parallel to a shut- off slide 17. Since the pressing plate 12 covers only half of the filling opening 18, the pressing plate 12 must first be swung to the appropriate other side of the filling opening 18 before the second shut-off slide 17 can be placed. In this situation the shut-off slides 17 lie against the scraper 27 and are supported by it. Fig. 8 shows the situation in which the piston rods 21 are retracted and the frames 15 are turned back alongside the rear loader 9. The connection between the rear loader 9 and the interchangeable container 4 is then broken, so that the interchangeable container 4 with the corresponding shut-off slides 17 can be exchanged. The scraper 27 supports the shut-off slides 17 which shut off the filling opening 18 of the interchange¬ able container. Locking points (not shown) on the wall of the interchangeable container 4 provided with the filling opening 18 are used to lock the shut-off slides 17, so that they cannot slide during transportation of the interchangeable container 4. Fig. 9 illustrates the action of the movement means 20, 21. In order to ensure that the piston rod 21 can be retracted without the shut-off slide 17 being pulled back, the head 22 of the piston rod 21 must be lifted off the locking point 23. This is made possible by fixing the cylinder 20 to the frame 15 so that it pivots about a horizontal axis 24 and can be lifted by lifting means 25. The lifting means 25 are fixed at their one end to the wall of the frame 15 and at their other end to the cylinder 20. It can be seen from Fig. 10 that the piston- cylinder unit 20, 21 is situated in a space 26 of the shut- off slide 17 which is completely shut off from the refuse. The construction for moving the shut-off slide 17 is therefore less susceptible to breakdowns. When the full interchangeable container 4 has been replaced by an empty interchangeable container, the shut- off slides belonging to said empty interchangeable container must be pushed away from in front of the filling opening of the interchangeable container and accommodated temporarily in the frames situated on either side of the rear loader. The procedures to be followed for this are in the reverse order to those in the method described above for sealing the filling opening of an interchangeable container.

Claims: Claims 1. Sealing device for sealing a filling opening (18) of an interchangeable container (4) , in particular of a refuse collection vehicle, having at least one shut-off element (17) to be placed in or in front of the filling opening (18) , in order to seal the filling opening (18) , so that when the filling opening (18) is sealed the shut-off element (17) is connected to the interchangeable container (4) and when the filling opening (18) is open said shut-off element is connected to a loading device (9) coupled to the interchangeable container (4) at the position of the filling opening (18) , characterized in that the shut-off element consists of a shut-off slide (17) which when the filling opening (18) is open is accommodated in a frame (15) which is hingedly connected to the loading device (9) about an essentially vertical axis (16) , the frame (15) being rotatable about the hinge axis (16) between a first position, in which the frame (15) is situated alongside the loading device (9) , and a second position, in which the frame (15) is situated parallel to the wall of the interchangeable container (4) with the filling opening (18), and in that movement means (20, 21) are present, so that in the second position of the frame (15) they slide the shut-off slide (17) out of the frame (15) into or in front of the filling opening (18) of the interchangeable container (4) , and vice versa. 2. Sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that there are two shut-off slides (17) , which can be slid from the sides of the interchangeable container (4) into or in front of the filling opening (18) and are each accommodated in a frame (15) when the filling opening (18) is open. 3. Sealing device according to claim 1 or 2, charac¬ terized in that each frame (15) is provided at the top and bottom sides with guides for retaining and guiding the shut-off slide (17). 4. Sealing device according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with the filling opening (18) is provided at the top and bottom sides with guides for retaining and guiding the shut-off slide (17) . 5. Sealing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with a filling opening (18) is hingedly fixed to the interchangeable container (4) . 6. Sealing device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that in the second position of a frame (15) the guides in the frame (15) lie in line with the guides on the interchangeable container (4) . 7. Sealing device according to one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that a pressing plate (12) of a pressing device (6) of the loading device (9) is designed to serve as an additional guide for a shut-off slide (17) . 8. Sealing device according to one of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that each frame (15) is locked in the first position, in which the frame (15) is situated alongside the loading device (9) . 9. Sealing device according to one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that each shut-off slide (17) is provided with a locking point (23) for engaging the movement means (20, 21) for the shut-off slide (17). 10. Sealing device according to claim 9, characterized in that the movement means (20, 21) for a shut-off slide (17) comprise a piston-cylinder unit (20, 21) which at one end is connected to the corresponding frame (15) and at the other end has a head (22) which can engage in the locking point (23) of the shut-off slide (17) , in order to move the shut-off slide (17). 11. Sealing device according to claim 10, characterized in that lifting means (25) are present, in order to place the head (22) in engagement with the locking point (23) and to release it therefrom. 12. Sealing device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the piston-cylinder unit (20, 21) at one end is pivotable about a horizontal axis (24) in the corresponding frame (15) , and the lifting means (25) engage on the wall of the frame (15) at one end and on the piston- cylinder unit (20, 21) at the other end. 13. Sealing device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that each shut-off slide (17) has a sealed space (26) for the accommodation of the piston-cylinder unit (20, 21) . 14. Combination of an interchangeable container (4) with a filling opening (18) disposed in one of the end walls and a loading device (9) which is disposed detachably opposite the filling opening (18) and comprises a pressing device (6) , characterized in that the combination is provided with a sealing device according to one of claims 1 - 13. 15. Combination according to claim 14, characterized in that the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with the filling opening (18) is provided at the top and bottom sides with guides, for retaining and guiding the shut-off slide (17) . 16. Combination according to claim 15, characterized in that the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with a filling opening (18) is provided with locking points for retaining the shut-off slide (17) to be placed in front of or in the filling opening (18) . 17. Combination according to claim 16, characterized in that the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with a filling opening (18) is hingedly fixed to the interchangeable container (4) . 18. Combination according to one of claims 14 - 17, characterized in that the pressing device (6) comprises a pressing plate (12) which is rotatable about a vertical axis in a tub (11) . 19. Combination according to claim 18, characterized in that the interchangeable container (4) is provided with a scraper (27) which is disposed in the filling opening (18) opposite the vertical shaft of the pressing plate (12) of the pressing device (6) . 20. Combination according to claim 19, characterized in that the scraper (27) is fixed to the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with a filling opening (18) . 21. Interchangeable container (4) , obviously intended for a combination according to one of claims 14 - 20, characterized in that the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with the filling opening (18) is provided at the top and bottom sides with guides for retaining and guiding the shut-off slide (17) . 22. Interchangeable container (4) according to claim 21, characterized in that the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with a filling opening (18) is provided with locking points for retaining the shut-off slide (17) of the sealing device to be placed in front of or in the filling opening (18) . 23. Interchangeable container (4) according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the wall of the interchange- able container (4) provided with a filling opening (18) is hingedly fixed to the interchangeable container (4) . 24. Interchangeable container (4), obviously intended for a combination according to claim 19 or 20, charac¬ terized in that the interchangeable container (4) is provided with a scraper (27) which is disposed in the filling opening (18) . 25. Interchangeable container (4) according to claim 24, characterized in that the scraper (27) is fixed to the wall of the interchangeable container (4) provided with a filling opening (18) .

Inventors: BARMENTLOO ADRIANUS, BARMENTLOO, ADRIANUS
Applicants: BARMENTLOO ADRIANUS, GEESINK BV, BARMENTLOO, ADRIANUS, GEESINK B.V.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B65F3
IPC codes: B65F3